We love coffee, the people who farm it, and the people who drink it.

direct trade coffee

We all know that buying from your local, independent Mom ‘n Pop supports the local economy in many ways, but did you know that this particular small business also supports small family-run farms around the world? Coffee grows in places and by people we can’t see and that are easy to forget. So we keep them in the front of our hearts and minds by purchasing direct from them at fair prices.

It’s a beautiful circle- our Peruvian and Guatemalan farmers invest in their land and people, and grow exceptional coffees that we have the privilege to buy, roast, brew, and serve to our community (near and far).

Our holiday blend combines the hard work of our farmers, whole spices, and roasted oranges to fill your mug with warm, rich, fragrant brew. While preserving the inherent quality and flavor of the beans themselves, we get a hint of Christmas cheer with every cup by including a little bag of spices in every bag of beans. This coffee is not flavored, but rather enhanced naturally. For less, remove the bag right away to reduce contact with the aromatic ingredients. For a more pronounced jolly flavor, break open your bag and add the whole bits to the grounds in your brewer.

Sales of our Peruvian coffee (which is in this blend!) support building new schools in coffee-growing regions. So not only are you supporting your local economy and the farmers in Peru and Guatemala, you’re supporting the continuing education (which usually ends at 2nd grade) of countless farmers. Doing good tastes great!

No coffee farm or coffee shop exists in a vacuum. These communities give and take from each other, whether we’re aware of and can see each other or not. We both directly affect everyone along the global supply chain and the local neighborhood.

With that in mind, allow us to introduce you to the people who grew our newest coffee.

Farmers tasting their own coffee for the first time. Photo credit: Crop to Cup Coffee Importers

The tiny (Maryland-sized) country of Burundi is rehabilitating after a civil war, and like other similar regions, the people recognize the value of investing in quality coffee agriculture for the long-term. Burundi is one of the poorest countries in the world, but 90% of its GDP comes from very small family coffee plots.

Washing station. Photo credit: Crop to Cup Coffee Importers

This particular community owns its own washing station, which is where they bring the coffee after harvest to be sorted, de-pulped, fermented, washed, dried, and stored in parchment. Our importer, who only trades with communities directly and transparently, has worked with them over the last six years to get to the point where they can buy their entire crop, paying premiums well over and above the government-set base rates for coffee. The community has greatly increased their quality of life by increasing the quality of their coffee, and we hope to pass that love and care, respectfully, to you!

This particular lot has notes of cardamom, ginger, and vanilla for a spicy-sweet, full-flavored, clean cup.

Our very limited release is on sale now and will run out quickly. Order yours, or come to our tasting event in the cafe on Monday, February 16.

Photo credit: Crop to Cup Coffee Importers

Photo credit: Crop to Cup Coffee Importers

Photo credit: Crop to Cup Coffee Importers

Photo credit: Crop to Cup Coffee Importers

Who we are:

We love coffee, the people who farm it, and the people who drink it. We’re a mom & pop trying to provide a community gathering place with excellent coffee, tea, baked goods, and more. We roast our own, and we take it all on the road with our mobile setups.